Kuznetsov ranked second in the NHL with 7-13—20 in 15 games to power the League-leading Capitals (33-11-6, 72 points) to a 12-2-1 January. He collected at least one point in 11 of his 15 outings, highlighted by seven multi-point performances. That included his third career four-point game, a 1-3—4 effort Jan. 3 vs. TOR. Kuznetsov also placed third in the NHL with a +13 rating during the month, finishing with an even or plus rating in all but one his 15 appearances. The 24-year-old Chelyabinsk, Russia, native ranks third on the Capitals with 10-29—39 in 50 games this season after finishing 10th in the NHL with 20-57—77 in 82 contests in 2015-16, all career highs.

SECOND STAR – BRAD MARCHAND, LW, BOSTON BRUINS

Marchand led the NHL with 11-9—20 in 14 games to guide the Bruins (26-21-6, 58 points) to a 6-6-2 January. He picked up at least one point in nine of his 14 contests, highlighted by his third career five-point performance (and second of the season) Jan. 14 vs. PHI (2-3—5). Marchand also posted five multi-goal games, pacing the League with 11 goals overall, and led the NHL with three shorthanded goals and four shorthanded points. The 28-year-old Halifax, N.S., native ranks sixth in the NHL with 21-30—51 in 53 appearances this season and also shares the League lead with three shorthanded goals.

THIRD STAR – BRENT BURNS, D, SAN JOSE SHARKS

Burns paced NHL defensemen with six goals, 12 assists and 18 points in 14 games to lift the Pacific Division-leading Sharks (32-17-2, 66 points) to a 9-4-1 January. He recorded at least one point in 10 of his 14 outings, including six multi-point efforts. Burns also posted a pair of three-point performances, Jan. 10 at EDM (1-2—3) and Jan. 23 at COL (1-2—3), giving him three on the season. The 31-year-old Barrie, Ont., native ranks fourth in the NHL with 21-32—53 through 51 contests in 2016-17, leading all defensemen in both goals and points, and also paces the entire League in shots on goal (196).